Alvarez’s Absence and Transfer Situation
Julian Alvarez, the Atletico Madrid forward, will not participate in Saturday’s La Liga match against Sevilla. This absence follows his third consecutive missed training session on Friday due to illness. His health has been cited as the reason for his current unavailability.
The situation surrounding Alvarez’s future at the club remains uncertain, with conflicting reports regarding his potential departure. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has stated that he will “do everything” to make Alvarez “feel important” once he returns to training.
Atletico Madrid has made it clear they will not sell Alvarez to Barcelona. The club has released two public statements within 24 hours to reiterate this stance, criticising Barcelona’s conduct. Miguel Angel Gil, Atletico Madrid’s chief executive, affirmed that the club would “never, ever, ever go to Barcelona.”
Despite Alvarez’s reported desire to join Barcelona, the club’s firm position means a move to Arsenal appears to be the only other option if he wishes to leave. However, Arsenal reportedly views a transfer for Alvarez as unlikely before the deadline.
Club’s Stance and Manager’s Comments
Simeone acknowledged the focus on Alvarez’s situation during his news conference but emphasised that the club has been “forceful and clear” in its communication. He expressed hope that he could continue to help Alvarez as a “very important player” for the team.
The manager also dismissed concerns that the ongoing transfer speculation could negatively impact the squad. He noted that the players, particularly those who participated in the World Cup, are training well and that the team has performed strongly in recent matches against Malaga and Villarreal.
In addition to Alvarez, Atletico Madrid will also be without injured striker Alexander Sorloth for the Sevilla match. Simeone highlighted the impact of Sorloth’s absence and stated that the team would collectively seek solutions to score goals and secure a win.
New defender Cristian Romero, who joined Atletico Madrid from Tottenham for 40m euros, will travel with the squad to Sevilla. Simeone indicated that Romero would be given time to reach his best form and would not be rushed into playing.
Potential Future for Alvarez
The situation surrounding Alvarez’s future has been described as “extremely tense.” His public desire to leave has reportedly led to some dissatisfaction among Atletico Madrid supporters, with the player being booed after a recent match against Villarreal.
Reports suggest that Alvarez is now considering whether a move to Arsenal would be suitable. An expert on Atletico Madrid, Ruben Uria, believes Alvarez has two main options: either to move to London or remain in Madrid, as Atletico will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has not directly addressed the speculation linking his club with Alvarez. He has, however, stated that he communicates directly with his players regarding transfer plans to avoid uncertainty caused by media speculation.
There is ongoing communication between Arsenal’s sporting director and Atletico Madrid’s CEO, who have a prior working relationship. Atletico Madrid is also exploring options for a new striker, with Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres reportedly among the players on their radar.
The coming days are considered crucial for understanding Alvarez’s decision: whether to stay at Atletico Madrid and rebuild his standing with the club and fans, or to push for an exit. Atletico Madrid aims to resolve the situation before the transfer window closes.
South American football expert Tim Vickery suggested that Arsenal could offer a compelling opportunity for Alvarez, potentially serving as a stepping stone. He also noted that Atletico Madrid fans might welcome Alvarez back, given his quality as a player.
Source: bbc.com